Pilates / Yoga / Exercise Bar with Stackable Resistance Bands

ABSTRACT

An adjustable or non-adjustable exercise/Pilates/Yoga bar apparatus comprising a portable fitness device where a first horizontal elongated bar is attached to a second horizontal elongated bar or can have a variation of single bar, having multiple plastic tubes on each side of a single weight where each elastic tube has different resistance weight and when in use the assembly sits on top of the user&#39;s shoulders, and has the variation of an adjustable strap or a non-adjustable strap with a hook on each end of the bar, to which the elastic tubes attach to. At the other bottom end of each elastic tube, there is a ring to where the hook on the wide foot strap attaches to provide stability.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the xeroxographic reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention is related with the field of exercise and workout. More particularly, the invention relates to and pertains particularly to a Pilates/Yoga Bar.

Description of the Related Art

The health benefits of physical exercise are widely known. A pull-up bar is traditionally used for a variety of upper-body and core exercises wherein a user lifts at least their own bodyweight. Such movement promotes muscle development, specifically that of the arms, core, and back. Pull-ups are done by lifting your body up to a bar and lowering yourself back down. This bodyweight exercise is used in military training protocols and it is not one of the simplest exercises to perform. This exercise relies solely on pulling up your own body weight and then lower yourself back down, without any assistance from specialized machinery or equipment. Along with the intense nature of this exercise, comes a number of benefits. As with anything else, the greater the effort, the greater the reward.

One type of exercise seeing increased popularity is Pilates exercises. While Pilates is enjoying resurgence in popularity, the exercise system was actually invented in the late 1920s by Joseph Pilates. The method was designed to allow users the ability to develop controlled movement from a strong core using a range of apparatus/exercises to guide and train the body. Typical Pilates equipment includes the reformer, a horizontally positioned frame having a movable carriage. The device allows for a user to perform a variety of exercises.

There are multiple types of prior art that is registered in this regard with patent offices around the world. For instance, a Pilates exercise apparatus bearing U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,997B2 is issued to Mad Dogg Athletics Inc. The patent is an improved Pilates chair having a seat top with an underside, a base that is wider than the seat top, a plurality of bracing members between the seat top and the base, a swingable lever having an upper end and a lower end disposed between the seat top and the base, the lower end being hinge-ably attached from the base, an adjusting block disposed slid-ably along the lever between the upper and lower ends thereof, means on the adjusting block for locking it in a position along the lever, and one or more elongated helical springs each having two ends, one of the ends being attached from the underside of the seat top, and the other end being attached from the adjusting block, whereby sliding said adjusting block along said lever, and locking it in a position there-along, will result in a greater or lesser extent of stretch being imparted to the at least one helical spring.

Another patent on Pilates reformer bearing U.S. Pat. No. 2,014,0141948A1 is issued to ROCKIT BODY PILATES LLC. The patent embodiments are directed to an exercise apparatus having a frame comprising a first end, a second end and two generally horizontal frame members extending from the first end to the second end, a carriage supported by the horizontal frame members, the carriage being configured to translate along at least a portion of a length of the horizontal frame members and having a planar support surface, a first set of springs supported by the carriage, the first set of springs being configured to extend toward at least the first end of the frame, and a convertible platform positioned adjacent to at least one of the first and second ends of the frame. A vertical height of the convertible platform is adjustable from a first, platform or carriate height position to at least a second, chair position relative to a ground surface.

A Portable multipurpose whole-body exercise device bearing U.S. Pat. No. 8,715,146B2 is issued to Balanced Body Inc. The patent is on a portable multipurpose whole body exercise device which can be used for general fitness, Pilates-type, core strengthening, therapeutic, and rehabilitative exercises as well as stretching and physical therapy and which includes storable accessories that can be withdrawn from storage within the device and subsequently secured to the main tubular portion of the apparatus. The storable accessories can be used for a variety of resistance, stretching, and strength training exercises.

Another patent on Exercise apparatus bearing U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,4E1 is issued to D'SILVA Ltd. The patent discusses apparatus suitable for pilates and other exercise comprises rails, supported on a box-like frame and an exercise carriage, mounted on the rails, wherein the carriage comprises a first carriage section and a second carriage section which sections can be (i) connected together to form a single exercise carriage which slides forwards and backwards on the rails, or (ii) disconnected to form two exercise carriages which independently slide forwards and backwards on the rails. The apparatus also has a seat with a spring-biased foot pedal and a spring-biased trapeze bar.

Another patent on Method of using an exercise device having an adjustable incline bearing U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,801B2 is issued to Total Gym Global Corp. The patent is on a method of using an exercise device by following guidelines from a selected strength chart, hypertrophy chart, power chart or endurance chart. The exercise device includes a vertical support member; an adjustable incline having a first end and a second end, the first end of the adjustable incline adjustably supported by, and vertically movable with respect to, the vertical support member for adjusting the incline of the adjustable incline; a user support platform movably attached to the adjustable incline; first and second pulleys coupled to the adjustable incline; one or more cables extendable through first and second pulleys and coupled to the user support platform for movement of the support platform along the adjustable incline through cable movement.

Another Exercise Machine Ergonomic Handle System bearing U.S. Pat. No. 2,016,0008657A1 is issued to Lagree Technologies Inc. The patent is on an exercise machine ergonomic handle system for providing handholds for the performance of exercises with reduced flexion and/or extension of the hand and wrist and reduced ulnar and/or radial deviation so as to reduce injury and allow application of full strength to the exercise machine. The exercise machine ergonomic handle system generally includes a longitudinally extending frame, a carriage that moves upon a first longitudinal portion of the frame, and at least one pair of ergonomic handles positioned on a second longitudinal portion of the frame. The ergonomic handles rotate about an axis to prevent flexion and/or extension and can be positioned at a width and/or angle that reduces ulnar and/or radial deviation.

Another patent on Combination exercise machine for performing pilates and barre workouts bearing U.S. Pat. No. 9,474,922B2 is issued to Jean Magrella. The patent discusses an apparatus for performing a plurality of both Pilates and Barre exercises is described. The apparatus comprises a first component comprising a top wall defining an upper surface, a bottom wall defining a bottom surface, a plurality of side walls interconnected to provide a partially enclosed structure. Each of the side walls connect the top surface to the bottom surface whereby the upper surface is positioned at a vertical distance from the bottom wall. A second component comprises opposing, vertically directed members secured to different side walls of the first component, and a horizontally directed member having a first end secured to one of the vertically directed members and a second end secured to the opposing vertically directed members. Each opposing, vertically directed member has a resistance member providing flexibility while imparting resistance when one or more portions of the second component is bent or flexed.

There are multiple solutions that have been presented in prior art in regarding efficient exercise systems. However, the utility of these systems has not been seen in advance form when a user is not properly trained in the use of the exercise apparatus and serious injury can result. Further, a novice and/or an intermediate user is often unable to lift his or her own bodyweight to complete a full round, resulting in further injury when a pull-up is improperly attempted.

Also, the user is often inconvenienced by drawbacks that are frequently associated with the home use of such devices, such as bulkiness, flexibility, lack of durability, and a limited exercise range. Further, this strength training equipment is often very expensive to purchase for home use and therefore, inaccessible to many people.

The current invention proposes a unique system which features an enhanced standalone way of supporting, collating, handling and facilitating person while using the proposed exercise apparatus. The proposed assembly presents an enhanced design where unlike the traditional pilates bar which originally has 1 elastic band on each side, whereas the new proposed design has multiple elastic bands on each side with different weight resistance. Furthermore, it also presents adjustable straps allowing the user to adjust the length according to their height and other requirements.

None of the previous inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Hence, the inventor of the present invention proposes to resolve and surmount existent technical difficulties to eliminate the aforementioned shortcomings of prior art,

SUMMARY

In light of the disadvantages of the prior art, the following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.

The primary object of the invention is related to an advancement in Pilates/Yoga Bar which is an exercise apparatus that enables various exercises.

It is also the main objective of the invention to provide multiple pairs of elastic tubes on both sides of proposed assembly where each elastic tube has different resistance weight but not limited to those specific weights. The apparatus may consist of either 3, 4 or 5 pairs stackable elastic tubes of different resistance weight each.

It is further the objective of the invention to provide a Pilates/Yoga Bar which is constructed of high-quality material with foam for a secure and pain-free grip.

It is moreover the objective of the invention to provide a Pilates/Yoga Bar which can have variation of two part pole with a clicking mechanism and can be in form of a single piece thus to be used as a portable, comprehensive fitness solution. Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure provides a Pilates/Yoga Bar device including a pair of collapsible body.

It is also the objective of the invention to provide the versatility of a non-adjustable strap on each end OR an adjustable strap attached one on each end of the assembled bar, allowing the Pilates/Yoga Bar device to transitions easily between different heights for use within variable forms of fitness training.

It is further an aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure provides a bar locking mechanism where the bar is a two-part bar that locks and unlocks to collapse for compact storage.

It is further object of invention to provide an exercise device which enables an array of hand gripping positions by a user for performing modified fitness exercises, especially for allowing a variety of Pilates/yoga bar.

It is the further objective of the present invention to provide a simplicity of its design.

It is also the objective of the invention to provide portability. Being detachable and light-in-weight enables a user to take it on business trips, vacations, and the like so that an exercise schedule is not interrupted by such trips.

This Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front view of Pilates/Yoga Bar as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another view of Pilates/Yoga Bar showing the adjustable straps as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows another complete view of Pilates/Yoga Bar as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 perspective use of Pilates/Yoga Bar where a user is using the bar in standing position as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 is another perspective use of Pilates/Yoga Bar where a user is using the bar in lying down position as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 perspective use of Pilates/Yoga Bar where a user is using the bar in standing position for back exercise as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Home exercise is becoming increasingly more popular. Home exercise offers the health benefits of regular exercise while recognizing that many people have difficulty in finding sufficient time in their schedule for a full workout at a health club or gymnasium. An exerciser may exercise at home whenever the exerciser's schedule permits. This flexibility in scheduling often allows for a more consistent and thus healthful exercise regime.

Home exercise, however, has its drawbacks. In particular, in order to exercise all or most of the muscle groups, multiple pieces of home exercise equipment may be required. Furthermore, these multiple pieces of equipment may require permanent installation in the exerciser's home.

One such piece of equipment is known as the Pilates Reformer. The Reformer is a large device used for core strengthening exercises. The device is the size of a twin bed and is meant to be stationary, not portable. The device is constructed much like a bed frame with the dynamic portions secured to the inside of the frame enabling use for different Pilates exercises. This type of device is to be used for Pilate's workouts in the studio or private gym setting and cannot be transported without great effort.

Another apparatus used for Pilate's exercise, is known as the Cadillac. This type of device is another large device that is designed to be used in the studio or other stationary setting. It has a similar base frame to the Reformer, although it is taller and also has extension bars that run vertically off of each corner of the base frame, with a cross bar connected at the top of each vertical bar. Certain exercises and stretching routines are performed in conjunction with these extension bars, but again this large device is used in the studio setting and is very costly.

Thus, there is a need for a portable apparatus that allows individuals to perform general fitness, Pilates-type, core strengthening, therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises in the comfort of their own home or while traveling. Furthermore, there is a need for such an apparatus that is affordable and can be used within the personal trainer or rehabilitation setting or in the traditional gym class setting for group training.

There are multiple views that are showing the use assembly and its perspective use. FIG. 1 is a front view of Pilates/Yoga Bar and FIG. 2 is another view of Pilates/Yoga Bar showing the adjustable straps as per preferred embodiments of the invention. The FIG. 3 shows another complete view of Pilates/Yoga Bar as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 perspective use of Pilates/Yoga Bar where a user is using the bar in standing position as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 is another perspective use of Pilates/Yoga Bar where a user is using the bar in lying down position and FIG. 6 perspective use of Pilates/Yoga Bar where a user is using the bar in standing position for back exercise as per preferred embodiments of the invention.

The current invention Exercise/Pilates/Yoga Bar unlike other present similar devices which have only one elastic tube (1) on one side and another elastic tube on the other side (2) to form a single weight resistance device. The poles which joint together to form one, and has two attachment straps (3) and (4) with hooks on each side of pole. The assembly provides a pole which has multiple stackable elastic tubes on each side. Each elastic tube (5),(6),(7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14) and has different resistance weight as shown on FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 but this design is not limited to those specific weights.

These elastic tubes are proposed to be made of rubber/latex and are made of different wall thickness to create different levels of weight resistance. The pole, when assembled; and which, when in use, sits on top of the user's shoulders, may or may not have a n adjustable strap (15) (16) with a hook on each end of the bar, to which the elastic tubes attach to. Another variation of the straps on the pole on each end, have a non-adjustable strap with a metal ring, to which the elastic tubes attach to (3)(4). At the other bottom end of each elastic tube, there is a ring to where the hook on the wide foot strap attaches.

The assembly as per further embodiments presents a unique bar locking mechanism where the bar right pole (1) and left pole (2) locks and unlocks to collapse for compact storage. The pole can have another variation of single elongated bar assembly. One end of half of the bar for instance (1), has a built-in spring to engage two small rods located on opposite sides of each other on the tube. While on one end of the other half of the bar, (2) has two holes, so that when both halves (1) and (2) are put together, the holes align with the engaging small rods of bar half, thereby creating clicking lock-in mechanism, so that both halves of the tube operate as one-piece tube.

The assembly has adjustable straps area attached one on each end of the assembled bar. The straps (17) and (18) as shown in FIG. 2 are inserted to a two-part strap adjuster.

In the further embodiment of the present invention the exercise apparatus used for doing multiple types of exercises' and is not limited to Pilates only. The apparatus is a portable apparatus and can be carried to any place by just attaching the detachable hand grips and then can be installed with a sturdy arrangement. The handles for grip can be attached or detached as per user requirement for its easy portability and less space consumption.

The apparatus can be adjusted as per the user requirement. The hand grip handles can be adjusted with the use of holes that are present on the tubular rod (1) and (2). The straps assembly allows the user to set the handles as per the user's physical requirement.

While a specific embodiment has been shown and described, many variations are possible. With time, additional features may be employed. The particular shape or configuration of the platform or the interior configuration may be changed. to suit the system or equipment with which it is used.

Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 

I: The present invention is a comprising of: an elongated straight bar in two parts (1) and (2) or in single one piece extending horizontally from one end to another end; attachment straps (3) and (4) with hooks on each side of elongated bar; elastic tubes having different resistance weight extending from the center of bar; the elongated transverse bar (17) and (18) having said adjustable straps with a hook on each end of the bar; Or with the variation of non-adjustable straps and a metal ring (3) and (4). pair of straps attached with elongated straight bar inserted to a two-part strap adjuster (15) and (16) for supporting foot part. II: A multi weight Exercise/Pilates/Yoga Bar apparatus which enables various exercises once installed where multiple stackable elastic tubes having various resistance weight options are disclosed comprising: a multi weight Exercise/Pilates/Yoga Bar as per Claim II, where either an adjustable strap or a non-adjustable strap variation, with a hook on each end of the bar, to which the elastic tubes are attached; a multi weight Exercise/Pilates/Yoga Bar as per Claim II, where multi grip pull-up bar is constructed of high-grade steel and plastic with foam for a secure and pain-free grip; a multi weight Exercise/Pilates/Yoga Bar as per Claim II, where bar's maximum weight capacity is 380 pounds and over; and, a multi weight Exercise/Pilates/Yoga Bar as per Claim II, where the bar is highly portable because of its handles which are detachable and adjustable. 